A WODONGA father is fuming after his son won an AFL grand final ticket in a Commercial Club staff raffle, only to have it taken away weeks later.
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David Hawkins’ son had been working for the club when he won the prize at the end of the financial year.
Mr Hawkins said his son asked to have his hours reduced about two months after winning the prize due to a heavy workload with multiple jobs, but was told by management that was not possible, and was forced to resign.
When he went in to collect the prize, he was told he would not be receiving the ticket as he was no longer employed at the venue.
“He’s in shock,” Mr Hawkins said.
“He’s only 20 and he doesn’t know what to do.
“I’m just in disbelief.”
A document dated July 2 lists Mr Hawkins’ son as the winner, and notes the prize was drawn and witnessed by seven people.
Mr Hawkins said his son had asked not to be named.
“In today’s age you can’t crucify kids like that,” he said.
“Just because circumstances change, you can’t renege on the prize.
“I can’t believe the club would do that to a 20-year-old kid.
“He’d worked there for 12 months, but everyone I’ve spoken to says it doesn’t matter if he worked there for one week or a year, he was still the winner.
“There were no conditions listed on the voucher for the prize.”
Mr Hawkins said he had called Commercial Club chief executive Bruce Duck.
He wanted to talk to Mr Duck about the incident and confirm what his son had told him, as he thought the situation “was so far fetched”.
He said he was disappointed by Mr Duck’s response and said he would be taking the matter further.
“It’s not right,” Mr Hawkins said.
Mr Duck did not return repeated calls requesting comment.
